In Bellevue, school buses traverse the City in the mornings and afternoons picking up and dropping off children to 16 elementary schools and 5 middle schools (high schools utilize King County Metro). At any given time while driving, you may encounter a bus with red lights flashing and the stop sign or bar out signifying that children are either getting on or off the bus. On a two-lane road, everybody must stop when this happens. But what happens when traveling on a three-lane road or a road with a median?

Follow our handy graphic to learn when you should stop if you encounter a bus with red flashing lights on.

When to stop for school buses?
1. 2-lane roadway: both directions stop
2. 3+ lanes: stop if traveling same direction as bus
3. Turning lane: stop if traveling same direction as bus
4. Median: stop if traveling same direction as bus

Thinking about not stopping for a school bus when the red lights are flashing or the stop bar is out? Be prepared for a $430 fine. Traffic enforcement officials need not be on-hand to enforce the infraction; bus drivers are trained to document infractions which are admissible in a court of law.

If you’re still uncertain about when to stop, check out this video from the Washington State Patrol—it contains all the vital information (including reinforcing the $430 fine!).

Disclaimer

Comments on this blog are monitored and subject to removal per the City of Bellevue's social media policy. Comments left are to be assumed public information and subject to disclosure pursuant to RCW 42.56